I came to Amsterdam to listen to all of Gustav Mahler’s 10 symphonies by some of the world’s greatest orchestras, one each day, consecutively, and his ‘Song of the Earth’, but especially the four movements that comprise his First Symphony.
On this, the vernal equinox, let’s pause together to notice sunrise due east on the horizon and the higher arc our star draws as it climbs and then descends to its due west position on the skyline.
Halloween encourages our imaginations and coaxes us to embrace the dark time of year marks the approximate halfway point between the autumnal equinox (September 22) and the winter solstice (December 21).
In the hour before sunrise during the last week of September and the first week of October, an additional incentive to prompt our waking up to go outdoors in the early morning is the promise of witnessing the ethereal zodiacal light.
The menu at the Housie Market is peppered with items not found elsewhere, such as poached eggs on polenta. Then there’s the Contactors’ Special, a “great deal” what with two eggs, cheddar, bacon, and her homemade tomato salsa on ciabatta with a cup of coffee for $6.99.